Peer Specialist

Position: Peer Specialist The Peer Specialist plays a critical role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals seeking behavioral health and substance use disorder services at our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). The Peer Specialist is often the first person a service recipient encounters when entering the clinic, helping to foster connection, hope, and engagement from the very beginning of treatment.

This position is based at our Certified Community Behavioral Health Center located at 117-11 Myrtle Ave, Richmond hill, NY Essential Duties: Welcome and greet service recipients entering the CCBHC, helping to create a warm, respectful and recovery-focused environment. Build trusting relationships with individuals through the use of lived experience, peer support principles, and recovery-oriented engagement strategies.

Provide peer support services including Outreach, Advocacy, Mentoring, Recovery Support Services. Assist individuals in navigating behavioral health, substance abuse, medical, and community-based services. Support engagement and retention in treatment by maintaining regular contact with participants and encouraging participation in recommended services.

Advocate for individuals’ needs. Preferences, and recovery goals within the treatment process. Provide education on recovery resources, wellness strategies, and community supports. Participate in Outreach activities designed to identify and engage individuals who may benefits from CCBHC services. Assist with linkage and referrals to community resources, self-help groups, recovery supports, housing, employment, and other services as appropriate.

Distribute and provide education regarding overdose prevention resources, including Narcan. Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to support person-centered care planning and service delivery. Provide transportation assistance to service recipients when appropriate and in accordance with agency policies. Drive agency vehicles, including the Outreach minivan, as needed.

Complete required documentation in a timely and accurate manner. Minimum Requirements: High School Diploma/GED and 2 years’ work or volunteer experience in a recovery-orientated setting. OMH – New York Certified Peer Specialist – Provisional (NYCPS-P) or New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS).

Preferred Qualifications

Lived experience with and knowledge of the challenges pertaining to substance use and/or mental health conditions. Clean driving record. Monday

• Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm